Tulous were built for defense against armed bandits that plagued southern China from the 12th century to 19th century.
The people of southern Fujian first built strongholds on top of mountains as a defense.
These early strongholds later evolved into Fujian Tulou.
Branches, strips of wood and bamboo chips are often laid in the wall as additional reinforcement.
The entrance is guarded by 4-5 inch thick wooden doors reinforced with an outer shell of iron plate.
The top level of these earth building have gun holes.
The tulous are as solid as a castle and offered specular resistance against cannon fire.
The buildings were divided vertically between families with each disposing of two or three rooms on each floor.
The rooms are well-lit, well-ventilated, windproof, and the entire building earthquake-proof.
There are more than 20,000 tulous in Fujian, scattered in the mountainous southeastern region of Fujian province.
